Shloka 10
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 47 — Arjuna’s Deterrent Declaration
Sañjaya’s Report
तैश्वेद् योद्ध मन्यते धार्तराष्ट्र निर्वत्तोडर्थ:.सकल:पाण्डवानाम् । मा तत् कार्षी: पाण्डवस्यार्थहेतो- रुपैहि युद्ध यदि मन्यसे त्वम्
sañjaya uvāca |
taiś ced yoddhuṁ manyate dhārtarāṣṭro nirvṛtto 'rthaḥ sakalaḥ pāṇḍavānām |
mā tat kārṣīḥ pāṇḍavasyārtha-hetoḥ sandhiṁ vā 'rdha-rājyaṁ vā prayatnena |
upaihi yuddhaṁ yadi manyase tvaṁ tadā tasmai brūhi—duryodhana yuddha-bhūmim evāvatara ||
Sañjaya sprach: „Wenn Dhṛtarāṣṭras Sohn wirklich meint, er müsse mit all diesen Kriegern kämpfen, dann wird das ganze Vorhaben der Pāṇḍavas erfüllt. Bemühe dich nicht, zum Vorteil der Pāṇḍavas, um einen Vergleich oder darum, auch nur die Hälfte des Reiches zu sichern. Wenn du urteilst, dass Krieg der rechte Weg ist, dann geh und sag ihm: ‚Duryodhana, steig selbst hinab auf das Schlachtfeld!‘“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between diplomacy and inevitable conflict: if the aggressor is set on war, forcing a compromise may only serve the opponent’s strategic interest. Counsel must weigh justice, intent, and consequences rather than pursue settlement as an absolute good.
Sanjaya reports a hardline stance: if Duryodhana insists on fighting with the assembled heroes, then the Pandavas’ aims will be achieved through that very war. The speaker urges not to push for a peace deal or half-kingdom arrangement that would advantage the Pandavas; instead, if war is deemed right, Duryodhana should be told to enter the battlefield.